Study aim: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a therapeutically challenging pain syndrome. Physical exercises are the most common therapy used in CLBP treatment. The aim of the study was to verify if GRAVITY system exercise can be effective in the therapy of chronic discogenic low back pain. The GRAVITY system exercise aims at strengthening full body muscles using the trainee’s own body weight only.
Material and methods: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04765293. We used TREND statement. The study populations were 50 patients with CLBP. The study population (group I) consisted of 25 patients who had GRAVITY system exercise. The clinical control group were 25 patients who received standard treatment in an outpatient clinic of National Health Fund. Before the start of the training, the patients’ had their muscle strength responsible for stabilizing the lumbar segment measured. We also measured patients’ Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) prior to and after the therapy cycle. The therapy was conducted twice a week for 40 minutes over the period of 4 weeks. The clinical control group were 25 patients who received treatment from the National Health Fund and had only standardised physical therapy (laser, ultrasound, cryotherapy and magnetic therapy) sessions for two weeks.
Results. We found statistically significant reduction in pain and disability in the study population after the treatment, but muscle strength did not increase significantly.
Conclusions: 1. GRAVITY system exercise might efficient in pain and disability reduction. Muscle strength did not increase after therapy. 2. Pain and disability had positive correlation with female sex, decreased physical activity and sedentary work.
